Gate for swinging-bridge approaches



(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

G. B. HOWLAND. GATE FOR SWINGING BRIDGE APPROACHES.

No. 434,932. Patented Aug. 26, 18901.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. B. HOWLAND. GATE FOR SWINGING BRIDGE APPROACHES.

No. 434,932. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BENJAMIN HONVLAND, OF PONTIAC, ILLINOIS.

GATE FOR SWINGING-BRIDGE APPROACHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,932, dated August 26, 1890.

Application filed December 18, 1889- Serial No. 334,152- (No model.)

a which is lifted up out of the way when the bridge is closed, substantially as hereinafter fully described and as illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure is a side elevation of a swinging bridge with my improved gate guarding the approaches thereof. Fig. 2 is plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the gate looking toward the bridge, and Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a modified detail of the same.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a swinging bridge, and B B the approaches thereof. Secured to the upper ends, preferably the end posts or uprights of the bridge, are brackets a a, which project outward and upward in a parallel plane with the sides of the bridge. Secured to the upperends of the bracket on the same end of said bridge is a track 0, which from each end pursues a horizontal course to a common point farther back on the bridge at its transverse center, thus looking at the bridge from above, producing a V-shaped track on each end of the bridge. b I) represent, respectively, pairs of parallel Vertical uprights, one pair being located on each side of the approach a short distance back from the abutments of the same. These uprights support the transverse head-frame c, which bridges over the road-bed, and which at its center of length has projecting longitudinally and centrally toward and over the bridge-and slight-1y beyond the vertex of the V-tracks O the arm D. The arm D consists of two horizontal flat tracks 67, d, one immediately above the other, which are united at their outer ends and suitably secured at their inner ends to frame 0. Both the upper and lower tracks have corresponding central cot-erminous longitudinal slots 6 in them, as shown, and between the tracks is placed a block E, which is of a suitable thickness and breadth to permit it to move longitudinally between the tracks freely. In order to'prevent any lateral displacement thereof, I provide said block, preferably at or near both ends, with vertical studsfand g, respectively, which pass vertically through the block and whose ends extend upward and downward therefrom through the slots of the tracks.

On the lower end of the studf, below the arm D, is a traveler E, which as said bridge swings closed rolls against the inner vertical surface of track 0, and secured preferably to the lower end of stud g are two ropes G G, which run from said stud back to the under surface of head-frame c, where the right-hand rope G passes around a horizontal concave pulley h, andtheleft-hand rope passes around a similar pulley. From these pulleys the rope passes laterally under head-frame c to about between the uprights b 19, supporting the same, where, passing over vertical pulleys.

7c 70, they pass vertically downward to and through the transverse horizontalbars K composing the gate. There may be one, two, or Inoreof these bars, and they all are of such length that their ends pass between the uprights I) b. The ropes are suitably secured to the lowest bar K, but pass through suitable openings in those above. u

Secured to each pair of uprightsb on acorresponding horizontal plane are the brackets 1 1, which extend laterally outward from the side farthest from the road-bed, and uponwhich the ends of the lateral pins passing through top bar of the gate drop and rest when the gate has been sufficiently lowered. The intermediate bar is suspended from the top bar and the lowest bar of the gate is simply suspended by the ropes. The object of this construction of the gate is to enable the bars thereof to be picked up one after the other as the ropes are drawn upward through the action of block E, as will be hereinafter more fully explained,

so that the least possible space is occupied by number of transverse bars connected by vertical boards or other devices would answer just as well.

The operation of my invention is substantially as follows: When the bridge is open, the weight of the gate has caused it to lower, so as to close the approach, and has drawn the block E back between the tracks d d until the stud g thereof reaches the limit of slots 6 farthest from the bridge. WVhile in this position, when the bridge is being swung closed from either direction, the end of the V-track C over the corner of the bridge leading toward the approach strikes the point of the circumference of traveler F farthest from the bridge, and as said bridge continues to close, so as to come into proper alignment with the bridge-approaches, the obliquity of track 0 from the periphery described by its ends causes the block to move toward the center of the bridge until the vertex of the track is reached, whereupon the bridge will be in the proper closed position for traffic over it, and the gates will be raised up high enough, so as not to obstruct the approaches.

As hereinbefore described, it would be necessary in order for the gates to be lifted ten feet forthe block Eto have a corresponding length of movement. This would necessitate a great length of the overhanging arm D. I can avoid that, if desired, by connecting block E with one rope n to the lesser diameter of a stepped drum H, and then securing the ends of the ropes G so that the right-hand one as it winds thereon first touches the forward point of the circumference of the greatest diameter of said drum and the left-hand rope G first touches the point diametrically opposite thereto. Now the unwinding of rope it, caused by block E being drawn toward the center of the bridge, winds up ropes G faster, according to the increased diameter of the part of the drum it winds upon, (and with a given movement of the block,) than is possible were the drum all the same diameter (which, however, I could use) or were the method hereinbefore described resorted to.

I wish to be understood as contemplating all structural changes which may be made as coming within the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, with a swinging bridge and the track C, each end of which, commencing at a point near the corner of the bridge, converges inward toward a common point nearer the revolving centerof the bridge, of the block E, ropes G G, gate K, and frame for supporting and directing the course of the same, as set forth.

2. A swinging bridge and horizontal track 0, each end of which; commencing at a point near the corner at each end of the bridge, -pursues a corresponding course to a common point nearer the revolving center of the same, in combination with block E, having a stud f and traveler F on the end thereof, ropes G G, pulleys for directing ropes G G, gate suspended by said ropes, and frame for supporting the same,as set forth.

3. A swinging bridge and horizontal track 0, each end of which, commencing at a point near the corners of each end of the bridge, pursues a corresponding course to a common point nearer the revolving center of said bridge, in combination with uprights b, transverse head-frame 0, arm D, consisting of two tracks and projecting longitudinally toward the said bridge, as described, block E, moving between the tracks of arm D,,ropes G G, pulleys for directing the course of said ropes, and gate K, as set forth.

4. A swinging bridge and horizontal track 0, each end of which, commencing at a point near the corners of each end of the bridge, pursues a corresponding course to a common pointnear the revolving center of the same,-

in combination with uprights b I), having the brackets 1, transverse frame 0, arm D, consisting of two tracks and projecting therefrom horizontally toward the bridge, as set forth, block E, ropes G G, pulleys for directing the course of said ropes, and=a gate consisting of several bars, through the ends of which said ropes G pass, except the lowest, to which it is secured.

5. A swinging bridge and horizontal track 0, each end of which commences at a point near the corners of each end of said bridge and pursues a corresponding course to acomm on point located nearer the revolving center of the bridge, in combination with uprights 1), frame 0, arm D,consisting of two tracks, each of which has corresponding coterminous longitudinal slots 0 therein, block E between said tracks and having studs f and g projecting therefrom through the slots thereof, ropes G G, suitable pulleys for directing the course of said ropes, and a gate suspended on the ends of the latter, as set forth.

GEORGE BENJAMIN ROWLAND.

Witnesses:

F. H. GoIN, F. D. THOMASON.

ICC 

